Lead into Gold derives its name from the mystical practice of alchemy. The band is basically a solo project for Paul Barker, a talented and avant-garde bassist who joined forces with Alain Jourgensen in the late '80s to create several influential and powerful Ministry records. Paul and Roland Barker, as well as frequent future collaborator Bill Rieflin, played in a Seattle-based band called the Blackouts. When the Blackouts inked with Wax Trax! Jourgensen (already operating under the Ministry moniker) immediately partnered with Barker and the pair unleashed a multitude of vehicles including RevCo, 1000 Homo DJs, and Lard. Jourgensen and Barker dubbed themselves Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan (respectfully and respectively) after a pair of free-wheeling Greek prostitutes. In the midst of this plethora of pounding, Lead into Gold emerged as Barker's baby. He wrote and sang each cut on the sole full-length Age of Reason, as well as the extended singles, Faster Than Light, Idiot, and Chicks and Speed: Futurism.

01 Faster Than Light [12  Version]

I was 12 years old in 1983 when I heard Kraftwerk "Tour de France". It had a profound impact on me. I was drawn toward music that used synths before that. Pink Floyd, The Cars, Gary Numan, etc. but Kraftwerk was different. I was taught break dance moves from some of the older kids on my street and we would put on shows at school fairs. A year later (1984) I was introduced to The Cure (Pornography and The Top) and again, this music would have a profound effect on me. From there, I started going clubbing and the floodgate of post punk, new wave and industrial music opened up and I found myself. The third artist that gripped me was Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly, Delirium) in 1987. Since my roots are in dancing, my place is on the dancefloor. However, I wanted to HAVE the music, so I'm a collector, as well. I was always known for having the newest tracks before anyone else, except the professional djs, of course. And even helped a close friend launch his career as a dj (1990) as he taught himself how to spin using my vinyl (and some of his own). As the music progressed, so did I. From acid house, house, early rave, gabber, ambient, techno, dnb, jungle, trip hop, speed garage, prog. house, breaks, trance, psy trance, prog. breaks, electro & dub step I've amassed my collection and knowledge. I'm not a very good DJ but I have dabbled in that, at times, to reminisce about the past. Preferably on vinyl as I'm not tech savvy. I once had aspirations to produce music and be a part of electronic music's evolution around 1993 but was sidelined by other aspects of life. Electronic music has been the center of my world for 42 years and I'm soooo grateful that I had the opportunity to live thru its evolution. My mood generally dictates what I listen to and there is always something that fits whatever mood I'm in. That's the beauty of electronic music. I do miss the old days of clubbing and the illegal rave parties in the early 90's. I'm not one to frequent festivals, as it doesn't have the intimacy of a small, dank, smoke filled club or a crusty warehouse that the cops could show up at any minute. But I have  seen most of my favorite DJs and been to concerts of my favorite artists thru the years. It's all about the music...

Be selective about music, but even more so about people.

Seven minutes in heaven
I hope in the end that I'm not a virgin

01 Faster Than Light [12 Version]

Paul Ion Barker